Moraga School District to hold Thursday closed session over sex abuse scandal

By Matthias Gafni Contra Costa Times

Posted:
11/06/2012 07:01:36 PM PST

Updated:
11/07/2012 08:32:18 AM PST

Moraga School District trustees will meet for a special closed session board meeting Wednesday morning to discuss a pending lawsuit and two claims all surrounding past sex abuse by teachers.

The early morning meeting -- 7:30 a.m. at the Conference Room at district headquarters, 1540 School St. -- is the second closed session special meeting called since the Times published a story last week about the district's legal defense in a former student's lawsuit against it and three former administrators. The district, in its first legal response to Kristen Cunnane's lawsuit, listed nine possible defenses it might use, including one in which she was "careless and negligent" and contributed to her abuse. The attorney representing the district said it was included as a possible defense because if it was not listed, it would be waived, and the district had leave open all opportunities in fighting a potential multimillion lawsuit.

The Wednesday special meeting agenda includes:

Public comment on items to be discussed in closed session.

Conference with legal counsel regarding Cunnane's lawsuit.

Conference with legal counsel regarding two Jane Does who have filed claims with the district over related sexual abuse.

A report on any action taken in closed session.

The special meeting was called by board Vice President Charles MacNulty.

In addition, the Lafayette School District will hold a special closed session meeting Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. to discuss its civil litigation involving a Jane Doe, the victim of former teacher Michael Merrick. The Times recently reported how that district also used similar legal defense language in its defense in that case.

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The Lafayette meeting will be held at its district offices, 3477 School St., Lafayette.